Tomorrow, Forest Swords, aka Merseyside producer Matthew Barnes, will release Compassion, his sophomore album and follow up to his critically acclaimed debut Engravings. In celebration of the release he will be playing New York’s Mercury Lounge next Wednesday alongside label mates Actress and UMFANG.
Compassion is a response to the uncertain, aggressive new world we’re experiencing and communicating within, distilling it into a unique sound territory: Barnes' exploration of the mid-point between ecstasy and melancholy, artificial and human feels timely and affecting; a celebration of primal connections, life itself, and an anxious glance at the direction we're heading. The result is an assured, compelling, vital body of work, tying together the ancient and future: weaving swathes of buzzing digital textures, field recordings, clattering beats and distorted jazz sax with fizzing orchestral arrangements.
Central to this enthralling world is Compassion, an album that's as weighty as it is vulnerable, sculpting the most striking parts of his previous work into something that feels urgent and necessary, and cementing Barnes as one of the UK's most significant electronic artists and composers.
Forest Swords – Compassion
(May 5th - Ninja Tune)
War It
The Highest Flood
Panic
Exalter
Border Margin Barrier
Arms Out
Vandalism
Sjurvival
Raw Language
Knife Edge
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